Review Wargamers's opinion on KOTOR

[Vault Dweller]

Tags: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

<a href=http://www.wargamer.com>The Wargamer</a> posted a thorough, 7-page long <a href=http://www.wargamer.com/reviews/knights_of_the_old_republic/Default.asp>review</a> of <a href=http://www.bioware.com/games/knights_old_republic>KOTOR</a> which is <i>everything a good game should be</i>
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<blockquote>Judicious use of offensive weaponry is another choice that should be made relatively early. By the endgame it's possible to have a character that is well-versed in both melee and ranged weapons, but early on it's necessary to make a choice in order to become proficient in one thing. Personally, I despise melee weapons in games that feature lots of ranged weapon attacks; however, I could not resist using two vibroswords in my first game, then graduating to two lightsabers. I think it was a much more satisfying experience to go through the game with nothing but melee weapons and grenades for my main character, than simply standing off and trading shots (usually inaccurate ones).</blockquote>
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It would have been even more satisfying if ranged weapons weren't nerfed.
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Spotted at: <A HREF="http://www.gengamers.com">GenGamers</A>

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

Blasters really are insanely weak in this game. Even if you keep giving Carth newer, better blasters, he's still seems to get his clock cleaned by any grunt with a sword that's near him. It's pretty sad considering how well blasters work in all the Star Wars movies.

 

[Jed]

What I hate is that it almost seems disingenuous to include them in the game as they are, as it's obvious (due to the D20 rules) that they're a far distant second to melee. If I were to play the game again (and believe you me, I won't) I wouldn't take a single rank in blasters. Nothing spells FR33DUM! like the forced path of Jedi-dom and the uselessness of ranged weaponry!

 

[Volourn]

Ranged weapons may be weaker than melee weapons; but theya re not "useless". You should read the definition of the word 'useless'. One can beat the game with this so called "useless" weapon.

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

I tried blasters for a bit in the game, even had a blaster focused character. I strongly suspect that the people who have beaten the game with blasters relied much more on force powers than on the blasters to win this game.

 

[suibhne]

Part of the problem with Carth (and the ranged weapon route, by extension) is that the RULEZ are implemented a bit oddly in KotOR: the "max dex bonus" from heavier armor limits dex bonus to armor (as it should) AND dex bonus to ranged weaponry. I don't know whether this is correct in Star Wars d20, but I know that ain't the way it works in 3E D&D - another notable d20 system.

Just for kicks, I looked at walkthroughs for suggestions on how to use the characters (after I finished game, mind you). All of them seemed to recommend putting Carth in armor which knocked his dex bonus down to +1 or even 0. By using Cassus Fett's Heavy Blaster in Carth's right hand, and giving him armor (and other items) which kicked his dex bonus up to +5, he was useful through most of the game (though I wouldn't have dreamed of using him on the Star Forge).

 

[Volourn]

There are quite a few armours that give good ac bonuses + high dex modifiers.

 

[Jed]

Ranged weapons may be weaker than melee weapons; but theya re not "useless". You should read the definition of the word 'useless'.

Dood, I just checked, and all it sez is, "Volourn's opinions." LOL!!!!!!!!!!1111111

 

[Volourn]

Haha. :D

 

[Jed]

Haha. :D

Glad your sense of humor is still intact, Vollie. However, you do have to admit blasters are seriously unbalanced in this game, as much as either of us may like the game (and I did like it for what it was). The grenades only work for enemies that stay in one place.

 

[Volourn]

I do agree blasters are unbalanced. No doubt about it. But, you shouldn't go extreme and see they are "useless". They mostd efinitely aren't as useful as sabres though. An upgrade is an order.

Shh.. Don't allow a certain being to see me agree that something about a BIO game is unbalanced as it would break his heart to see me say BIO messed up ons omething.

Humour is the only thing that allows one to survive on the Internet.

 

[Astromarine]

no, porn does as well

 

[Spazmo]

Hey, Volourn, keep in mind that the force wave power doesn't count as a blaster.

Come to think of it, blaster gimpage isn't the issue here. Everything is gimped compared to force wave.

 

[dagamer667]

I tried blasters for a bit in the game, even had a blaster focused character. I strongly suspect that the people who have beaten the game with blasters relied much more on force powers than on the blasters to win this game.

I'm pretty sure that KOTOR retains the traditional attack bonus in melee versus ranged cases (I belive it's +4 to attack). That attack bonus makes defending against attacks much harder. Towards the second half of the game, armor loses effectiveness even without enemy bonuses.

You can pump out decent damage with blasters, but it won't be easy. master speed+master rapid shot+dual wielding will let you spit out a few more shots, but the problem is that pistols are too underpowered. The rifles are passable but still don't hold up against a modded saber. Obviously, you'll need to use force powers. I believe that sneak attack bonus works if you shoot paralyzed enemies (either maxed stun or fear). That should add a chunk of damage. One thing is true though, going toe-to-toe with blasters will get you killed pretty fast.